Overview
Known as 'Black Cod', one of Alaska's most prized fish. Buttery meat rich in omega-3.
Identification
Dark bodyElongated dorsal finLarge eyesNo barbelsProminent jawsSmall scalesFleshy lipsFlat head
- Body
- Elongated and spindle-shaped body, with a wide head and tapering tail.
- Colouration
- Predominantly black or dark grey on the back, fading to a dirty white underside.
- Sexual dimorphism
- absent/not noticeable
- Growth
- fast, associated with the abundant food supply in the North Pacific.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Anoplopomatidae
- Order
- Scorpaeniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sebastes alutusSebastes ruberrimusHexagrammos decagrammusOphiodon elongatusTheragra chalcogramma
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- deep_sea, coast
- Preferred bottom
- mud, sand
- Geographic distribution
- Distributed along the northern Pacific, from Alaska to southern California, and around Japan.
- Micro-habitat
- Usually found in deep waters in muddy and sandy areas; commonly hides in crevices or under rocks during the day.
Prefers deep muddy areas for its resting and hunting grounds.
Presence by sea area
Na Pacifico NwPeak
Na Costa Ovest NordPeak
Na Costa Ovest CentroPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- krill, squids, small fish
- Secondary prey
- crustaceans, octopuses, mollusks
- Occasional prey
- jellyfish, fish eggs
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds primarily at night, often in deep waters, favoring pelagic prey due to its ability to swim quickly.
- Natural predators
- sharks, whales, seals
Uses its speed to surprise prey dwelling in the seabed and pelagic waters.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- non-migratory with seasonal vertical movements
- Seasonal behaviour
- During winter months, it migrates to shallower depths for spawning.
- Juveniles
- Young individuals tend to inhabit shallower waters than adults, forming small groups.
- Adults
- Generally lives in scattered groups and exhibits seasonal movements linked to water temperature.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- January, February, March
- Spawning depth
- between 200 and 500 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small, transparent, and buoyant.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic and develop rapidly, feeding on plankton.
- Sexual maturity
- 5-7 years
When to catch Sablefish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayDawn
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
deep trenchesreef edgesoffshore muddy areasunderwater canyons
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
longlinetrawlingtrollingdrop shot fishing
Other applicable
Deep DroppingBolentinoBolentino MedioDriftingPesca A FondoSlow JiggingVertical Jigging
Recommended baits
squidsardinesanchoviesshrimp
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitSlow pitch jigKabura / Tai rubberMetal jig pesante (100-300g)Paddle tail softbait
Medium
Esca viva profondaPezzo di pescePolpo mortoStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sgombroAringa interaFiletto di pesce
High
Esca viva profondaJig head + softbaitPezzo di pesce
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Tends to make sudden bursts and uses the current for resistance.
- Handling
- Use gloves and handle carefully to avoid injury from fins.
- Release
- Release carefully, minimizing time out of the water.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for black fish is 25 kg, caught in 2003 off the coast of Alaska. Scientific literature records individuals that can exceed 30 kg in weight and 120 cm in length.
- In the kitchen
- Highly regarded for its delicate, buttery flesh rich in omega-3s, ideal for smoking and grilling.
- Cultural notes
- In Japan, the black fish is considered a delicacy, often grilled or served in sushi.
- Historical notes
- Historically fished by indigenous communities in Alaska with long culinary traditions.
